For sixty years, Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation of Robert Bloch's "Psycho" has endured as one of the greatest thrillers ever to splatter the silver screen.
That's because the movie, like Bloch's novel, is rich in atmospheric character, even if the film and book hold their differences (in particular when it comes to the physical semblance of beleaguered Norman Bates). It's all okay, because Hitch's movie (thanks to his taut direction and supreme sense of pacing, backed by Joseph Stefano's crackerjack script) captures the deranged core and sadistic structure of Bloch's Ed Gein-inspired fiction.
Now, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of this groundbreaking, cinematic release, Fathom and TCM (courtesy of Fandango) have re-teamed to show the movie again in theaters, Oct 11 & 12 (at varying times at various venues nationwide).
This big-screen revival is an ideal way to celebrate "Psycho'"s impact on popular culture, and it's not only for the aforementioned reasons. The movie holds a shocking climax; a pulse-pounding Bernard Herrmann soundtrack; a jolting, Saul Bass credits sequence; Edward Hopper-ish ambiance; haunting John L. Russell photography; and an engaging, across-the-board cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, John Gavin, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Vaughn Taylor, Simon Oakland, John Anderson, Frank Albertson, Mort Mills, Pat Hitchcock and Jeanette Nolan as the voice of Norma Bates, aka Mother. (Even Ted Knight gets a cool cameo.) Every aspect of this one is perfect, which is why "Psycho" is considered one of the irrefutable (and creepiest) creme de la creme.
One might wish to weather the pandemic paranoia and embrace this Paramount (pun intended) presentation. All one needs is a ticket, a mask and a trusty pair of balls, and that's just to get into the theater (wink, wink). From there, Hitch's masterpiece will sever the nerves as it warms the heart with macabre nostalgia.
"Psycho" is way too good to miss, no matter how many times one has seen it.
I did, indeed, catch the theatrical presentation of "Psycho" and was in macabre heaven. What a marvelous experience, right up there with the TCM/Fathom, big-screen presentation of "Kong '33". I hope to catch more of these TCM/Fathom salutes. As long as they visit neighborhood theaters, it's my intent to do just that.
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